The film starts with Tom and Jerry going off on their own after their home is demolished, only to discover that they can talk — and sing — as they become friends. They encounter an orphan girl named Robyn Starling, who becomes the main figure in the story as our cat and mouse duo try to help her find her father who enjoys dressing up as Indiana Jones, while evading her greedy, evil Aunt Figg and her lawyer Mr. Lickboot. And then there's the dog on a skateboard, two dogcatchers who look like either burglars or Mexican wrestlers, a performing ship captain and his puppet parrot, and a doctor who kidnaps rich pets and holds them for ransom...

Unfortunately, because all of this was completely unrelated to Tom & Jerry or their legacy, the film bombed and was critically panned, and the Direct-to-VideoTom and Jerry films made since have, to their credit, tried to stay closer to the original formula. It is worth noting that Joseph Barbera worked on this movie and allowed all of this to occur. Then again, he was also involved in their 1970's incarnation, which was equally watered-down. Suffice it to say, Tom and Jerry: The Movie is the only work in the franchise of it's kind.

Animate Inanimate Object: Captain Kiddie's hand puppet Squawk seems to have a mind of his own, noticing Robyn's picture on a milk carton before Kiddie does and sings with Kiddie. He also eats cookies and drinks milk.

Conspicuous CG: The boat our heroes ride on during the final chase scene.

Covers Always Lie: Newly released DVD copies of the film use the same cover that is pictured above, sans any of the human characters that actually dominate the film! We still have Droopy as an Advertised Extra though. Woe to the people who buy it having never heard about this movie before.

Follow the Leader: The pathos filled orphan plot? The musical numbers? The hammy bad guys (one of whom is voiced by Tony Jay)? Its very obvious that the film was a shameless attempt at cashing in on Disney's renaissance during the early 90's, with Tom and Jerry thrown in for marquee value. Suffice to say, it didn't work.

Food Porn: The feast on Aunt Figg's mansion looks appetizing for an animated film. Too bad that Tom and Jerry were consume some, if any of them.

Friendship Song: "Friends to the End" between Tom and Jerry is a song where they sing about their friendship.

Greed: Seems to be the main motivation of pretty much all of the villains.

Jerkass Has a Point: Shortly after meeting Robyn, Tom tries to explain to her how stupid it is from running away from her aunt, just because she vocally abuses her. That's a horrible thing for sure, but her aunt apparently does take care of her (albeit reluctantly), and she's going to reunite with her father anyway, running away just puts her in danger. Tom gets ignored of course.

In Name Only: How many ways does this movie deviate from the original shorts? Let's count the ways:

First, there is very little of the series trademark slapstick in the film. The few times it appears are in the opening, the dinner scene in Aunt Figg's mansion (although that was Figg's wiener dog chasing Tom and Jerry that resulted in it, not the duo themselves) and at the very end. This is also coupled with Tom and Jerry deciding to become friends via song.

Second, Tom and Jerry talk the whole time, something that only sporadically happened in the original shorts. And the voices in question don't seem to fit the characters at all.

Third, the movie treats the cat and mouse duo as supporting characters at best when Robyn appears and becomes the central figure of the film.

Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Poor Tom and Jerry. Every single other character steals the movie from them. Special mention goes to the dog on the skateboard, who steals most of their slapstick.

Status Quo Is God: Basically, what happens in the final scenes of the movie since the final scene shows they no longer talk and of course continue their chasing of one another, much to everyone's (aka the viewers) relief. Enough said.

[technically this, since he's revealed to be a villain later] "I've done it all!"

The Voiceless: Tom and Jerry, for the first ten minutes of the film anyhow.

Walk Into Camera Obstruction: Where Dr. Applecheeks walks towards that ice cream stand with an evil smile. As he fills up the camera, the screen fades to black. Of note is the incredibly (and probably unintentionally) creepy way this is done.

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